Discover the best of Vietnam from the natural beauty of the north's highlands and bays to the historic cities and pristine beaches of the south with palaces, tombs and plenty more in between.
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Best of Vietnam - 13 Days

Kicking off in Vietnam's capital Hanoi, embark on a breathtaking 13 day journey through imperial cities and rural villages, taking in beautiful Halong Bay and the lush Mekong Delta. Finish up in vibrant Ho Chi Minh City and the fascinating Viet Cong tunnels of Cu-Chi!

Trip Highlights

Hanoi - take a unique backstreets tour of the capital, riding pillion on a taxi-motorbike and visiting the beautiful Temple of Literature and the infamous Hoa Lo Prison (aka the Hanoi Hilton). Also enjoy a cyclo ride through the Ancient Quarter

Hue - discover the ancient walled Citadel and the Imperial Purple Palace, Thien Mu Pagoda and the Royal Tomb of Emperor Tu Duc

Tra Que village - take a leisurely bike ride into the country, learn how to farm the land and enjoy a fun cooking lesson

Mekong Delta - cruise the a maze of waterways on a sampan, visiting local cottage industries and Dong Hoa Hiep Island

Itinerary

Day 1

Hanoi

Friday. Welcome to Hanoi, perhaps the most graceful, atmospheric and exotic capital city in Asia. Airport to hotel arrival transfer. The remains of the day offers free time for you to explore the wide tree lined avenues, beautiful lakes, ancient pagoda’s and thriving, historic old city, all easily navigated on foot.
Overnight: Hanoi

After breakfast we embark on an exciting back streets tour of Vietnam's capital. Our adventure starts with a taxi ride from the hotel to a well known street market northwest of the city which sells giant trees and plants. From here we stroll along the sidewalks, following an urban trail through the backstreets to the quaint district of Vinh Phuc. After exploring this wonderful neighbourhood we stop for refreshments at a unique coffee shop tucked away down a narrow alley. Then it's time for an exhilarating local experience, riding pillion on taxi-motorbikes through a maze of tiny streets and along the shore of beautiful Ho Tay Lake. Our 2-wheeled taxis drop us off for a tasty lunch of Vietnamese street food, in the yard of a former film studio.

In the afternoon we walk past Ho Chi Minh's Mausoleum (exterior only), where ‘Uncle Ho’ has laid since 1975 and learn all about the great man himself, who is regarded as the father of the nation. Continuing on we stroll down Hung Vuong Avenue to explore the complex of the beautiful Temple of Literature, which was Vietnam's first university.
Then we board the local bus to the Hoa Lo prison, aka the Hanoi Hilton, named by US prisoners of war. We finish the day with a glass of refreshing beer on a sidewalk facing the Soviet palace. Return to the hotel by taxi for an evening at leisure.

Please note: If you would prefer not to travel by taxi-motorbike, please an air-conditioned car/ taxi will be provided at no extra cost.
Overnight: Hanoi | Breakfast, Lunch

Hanoi – Halong Bay. Take a moment to picture in your mind some two thousand rugged karst islands dappled with lush vegetation seeming to float on top of pristine emerald coloured waters and you have the natural wonder that is Halong Bay. This morning a scenic drive will take us to this beautiful UNESCO World Heritage Site where we will enjoy a junk boat cruise.

Based on traditional designs, these wonderful vessels combine oriental style with modern luxury. Soak up the panoramic views from the sundeck as the boat gently plies its course, this afternoon we will visit the spectacular Tien Ong Cave which was recently opened to the public in 2010, with its stunning stalagmites and stalactites.

Later this evening back on board, watch a Vietnamese cooking demonstration held on the sundeck before settling down for a sumptuous seafood dinner.
Overnight: Halong Bay, Deluxe Junk Boat | Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Halong Bay - Hanoi - Hue. Early birds can start the day with a relaxing Tai Chi class on the sundeck or a traditional massage - the perfect way to start the day. Before heading back to port we'll explore by kayak the Floating Village of Cua Van, which is home to generations of fishing families. Here we’ll see the traditional and colourful floating wooden houses and the locals going about their daily lives.

On arrival back into Hanoi mid-afternoon we’ll explore the maze of streets in the French Quarter on our very only cyclo (rickshaws), taking in highlights such as the Opera house and Ly Thai To park. We then swap our wheels for a leisurely walk through ‘36 streets of the old quarter’, named after the numerous guilds that once set up shop on a particular street from silk tailors to traditional medicine shops.

Later this evening there's a chance to freshen up before boarding the train (4 berth sleeper cabin, basic standard) on the ‘Reunification Express’ railway line to Hue. An option to fly from Hanoi to Hue is also available.
Overnight: Sleeper train | Breakfast

Upon arrival to Hue we embark on a guided sightseeing tour of the 19th-century Nguyen empire capital. We visit the Thien Mu Pagoda, home to the oldest monastery in the city, whose 21m high tower has become something of a symbol for Hue and the citadel. Within the citadel is the Imperial Purple Palace, an exact copy of the Forbidden City in Beijing, with its impressive ramparts, formal moats and imperial palaces, some of which lay in ruin.

In the countryside lies the Royal Tombs of the Nguyen kings, here we’ll view the elaborate mausoleum of Emperor Tu Duc. As the sun sets there's an optional cruise in a long boat along the gentle Perfume River, beautifully illuminated at night.
Overnight: Hue | Breakfast, Lunch

Hue - Road of the Ocean Clouds - Hoi An. Today we take the scenic Hai Van Pass (Road of the Ocean Clouds), which offers magnificent views of beaches to one side and lush hills to the other. En route we stop for a walk along China beach. Perhaps enjoy a refreshing swim in the sea before continuing our journey south to Hoi An.

The charming, old-world trading port of Hoi An with it cobbled streets, traditional homes and tiny shop houses is a perfect place to lose yourself in a by gone era. Boutique restaurants, hip cafes along the waterfront, delightful craft shops and artisans including some of Asia’s best bespoke tailors (whose services come at a nominal price), all can be found here.

On a short walking tour of the enchanting historical town, we’ll visit the Chua Ong Pagoda, Chinese Assembly Hall, 200-year-old Tam Ky house, former merchants’ homes and the 400 year-old Japanese Covered Bridge.

During your stay in Hoi An, we offer a unique optional Hoi An Street Eats add-on, which explores the city’s most popular local haunts. Cruise the city the way the locals do, by vintage Vespa and enjoy lots of tasty Vietnamese Cuisine. Book early with your reservation consultant, as numbers are limited.
Overnight: Hoi An | Breakfast

This morning a scenic bicycle ride into the countryside leads us to Tra Que village. Here we discover age old farming practices and learn about traditional medicine. It’s a fun, hands on experience today as we don conical hats and assist with tending the fields and gardens before watching a cooking demonstration and helping to cook a tasty lunch.Overnight: Hoi An | Breakfast, Lunch

A free day for you relax or further sightsee. You may wish to take a relaxing rowboat journey along the river or spend the day lazing by the beach or hotel pool. It’s also possible to take an optional excursion to the most holiest and evocative of Vietnam’s Cham sites, My Son or to Quang Ngai, the site of the My Lai massacre memorial. The massacre was a significant turning point in the Vietnam War and the story is told through photo presentation on a walk through the village.Overnight: Hoi An | Breakfast

Hoi An - Ho Chi Minh City. Early morning flight to Ho Chi Minh City. Drive to the Mekong Delta. Often referred to as the ‘rice bowl’ of Vietnam, the fertile Mekong Delta is famous for its abundant harvests of tropical fruits, flowers and rice, as well as it fantastic views while boating along the canals. Taking our sampan from Cai Be we cruise through the maze of waterways watching the hubbub of daily life on the river. Passing colourful trading boats, house boats and children swimming we stop to visit some of the local cottage industries that produce popcorn, coco candies and paper along the way. Lunch is served today in a traditional wooden home on Dong Hoa Hiep Island.Overnight: Can Tho | Breakfast, Lunch

Can Tho - Ho Chi Minh City. Early today we visit the ever lively Cai Rang floating market before driving back to Ho Chi Minh City. Once called the Pearl of the Orient, modern Ho Chi Minh City is a thriving metropolis on the move. Sleek sky scrapers, gourmet restaurants, designer malls and swanky bars and spas are scattered between ancient pagodas, colonial era landmarks and lively street markets. On a walking tour of Ho Chi Minh City we'll see the Notre Dame Cathedral and the Old Post Office before visiting the sobering War Remnants Museum. Evening at leisure.Overnight: Ho Chi Minh City | Breakfast

Ho Chi Minh City – Cu Chi. This morning we visit the famous Cu Chi Tunnels used by the Viet-Cong in their struggle to keep control of the region during the 1960’s. After a short video presentation we take an exciting walk around the many bush trails and see trapdoors, booby traps, living areas, weapon factories and kitchens that were used and lived in during the war. We can also safely crawl through sections of the tunnels, that have been widened for the tourists and stand in the middle of bomb craters that are still just as defined as the day they were created. At the end of the visit you can opt to fire weapons of the era (including the M16 ‘s and AK47) on the firing range.Overnight: Ho Chi Minh City | Breakfast

Today we head out to explore more of Ho Chi Minh City. Starting off with the Reunification Palace - former residence of the President of South Vietnam until the fall of Ho Chi Minh City on April 30th 1975. The building is now a museum and a popular wedding venue. We’ll take a look in the famous ‘War Room’ where the North Vietnamese army took control in 1975. Next we explore Giac Lam Pagoda, Ho Chi Minh City’s oldest and one of its most beautiful temples.

Later on we take a journey through Vietnam’s medical history at the FITO Museum. This is Vietnam’s first traditional medicine museum with an amazing collection of over 3000 items. Our last stop of the day is Ben Thanh Market, where you can shop till you drop and master the art of haggling for just about anything!Overnight: Ho Chi Minh City | Breakfast

Wednesday. Today marks the end of our tour and after breakfast we will transfer you to the airport for your onward departure flight.Breakfast

Prices & Dates

Departure dates noted with a 'G' are guaranteed to operate. All other departure dates are guaranteed with a minimum of 2 persons. Prices shown are per person travelling. 'Twin/Double' prices per person apply when there are 2 people travelling, sharing a room. The 'Single supplement' applies for single travellers who require their own room and needs to be added to the 'Twin/Double' price. If you are happy to be paired up with another single traveller of the same sex on your tour, this can be arranged, thus avoiding the single person supplement.

Sunway Hotel, Hanoi

This ambient, boutique hotel combines traditional appeal with modern pleasures. Rooms are furnished in a contemporary fashion with an array of amenities for added comfort. Its restaurant provides a great variety of Vietnamese cuisine and you are welcome to enjoy cocktails and live music in the Jazz Bar or relax in the hotel's health spa.

Bhaya Classic I Junk Boat, Halong Bay

This premier cruise boat offers 18 well appointed cabins with en suite amenities. Cabins are contemporary in design, whilst the finer touches have a distinct oriental influence. All cabins feature large windows creating a bright and airy atmosphere as well as scenic views. Facilities and services onboard include a dining room and bar, a sunbathing area on-deck, masseur and small library.

Syrena Junk Boat, Halong Bay

A tradition hand crafted boat, the Syrena Junk Boat offers superb en suite air conditioned cabins with comfortable interiors and balconies. The on board Lotus Restaurant serves up a delicious array of Vietnamese and International cuisine. Complimentary Wi-Fi is available in the public areas. Swimming, kayaking and tai chi are all offered on board and movie nights are also very popular.

Mondial Hotel, Hue

Just a 5 minute walk from the Ho Chi Minh museum, the Mondial Hotel is a contemporary hotel with excellent amenities. Guest rooms benefit from spacious interiors, comfortable beds and lots of mod-cons. There is complimentary Wi-Fi for guests, an outdoor pool and onsite spa - perfect for a re laxing massage. As well as the delicious Huong Xuan Restaurant there is also the Lobby Lounge - great for cocktails before dinner!

ÊMM Hotel, Hue

Situated in the heart of the former imperial capital, ÊMM Hotel is the perfect base from which to explore Hue’s UNESCO World Heritage-listed sights. Completely renovated in 2016, the guestrooms are generously-sized and complete with modern amenities. The imperial jade and royal purple colour scheme was inspired by ancient Hue itself and guests can take advantage of the mini-gym, pool-side bar and a spacious reading area. Enjoy delicious Vietnamese and international cuisine in the contemporary restaurant after a day of exploring.

Thanh Binh Riverside hotel , Hoi An

Boasting a beautiful outdoor swimming pool, the Thanh Binh Riverside offers excellent accommodation in a great loacation. Guest rooms benefit from garden or river views and all come full air-conditioned, with stunning hardwood floors and all mod-cons. The onsite restaurant offers a great selection of Vietnamese and International dishes and the town centre is just a mere 200m walk away. Why not grab a cocktail and relax by the pool in the afternoon - a great way to refresh yourself from the Vietnam heat.

Iris Hotel, Can Tho

This elegant hotel is housed within a modern building in the city of Can Tho. Each guest room comes equipped with plush furnishings to ensure a good night's sleep and is decorated with a neutral palate and calming tones. Rooms look over the city and boast a range of modern amenities such as air conditioning and stylish ensuite facilities. Magnificent views of the city can be had from the hotel's skybar while a range of gourmet local and international dishes can be sampled at the onsite restaurant.

Victoria Hotel Can Tho, Can Tho

This attractive, colonial-style resort is tastefully decorated with well-appointed rooms and a wide range of facilities including a spa, tennis courts, open-air bar, restaurant and a gym. The hotel also offers sunrise and sunset cruises to the floating markets aboard the Lady Hau junk.

Muong Thanh Centre, Ho Chi Minh City

Centrally located, yet on a peaceful, tree-lined street, you will find the Muong Thanh Centre. Only a ten-minute walk from top attractions such as the Notre Dame Cathedral, Opera House and Ben Thanh Market, this hotel is a great base for exploring the famous sights of the city. Its world-class rooms boast sophisticated designs and panoramic views. Warm and friendly, the Muong Thanh Centre also features a spa and swimming pool for you to relax and unwind after a long day of sight-seeing.

Northern Hotel, Ho Chi Minh City

Located in Saigon's central business district, the Northern Hotel offers comfortable and stylish accommodation. Guest rooms are contemporary in style and are decorated with warming tones and excellent en suite facilities. The onsite restaurant offers a variety of European and Asian dishes set on the mezzanine floor. The hotel also offers complimentary use of computers in the lobby and a fully equipped gym for those who wish keep fit whilst staying in the city.

Northern Hotel, Ho Chi Minh City

Located in Saigon's central business district, the Northern Hotel offers comfortable and stylish accommodation. Guest rooms are contemporary in style and are decorated with warming tones and excellent en suite facilities. The onsite restaurant offers a variety of European and Asian dishes set on the mezzanine floor. The hotel also offers complimentary use of computers in the lobby and a fully equipped gym for those who wish keep fit whilst staying in the city.

Reviews

Travellers have rated this tour as 5
out of 5
based on 10 recent reviews

Hung was an absolutely fabulous guide - probably the best I've had in 20 years of travel. Extremely knowledgeable, and always willing to go the extra mile to help with non-standard issues e.g. he had to take 2 of our group to hospital on what was a free day for us so he should have had the day off.

The tour was very good, nice blend of cultural, historical and nature. Had a good balance of free time to do our own things as well. Only thing I would change is to have an extra day in the Mekong - its a long drive from Saigon to get there and to only have one night (in what was the best hotel of the whole tour) was a little bit frustrating.”

Bradley Quayle &bullet; Submitted 24 Dec 2018

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“

Wow! Vietnam was so full of surprises. I loved everything about this tour. Our guide Hung was very knowledgeable with a wicked sense of humor which kept us on our toes. So much fun with a great group of people. I couldn't have asked for more. ”

Andrea Burnett &bullet; Submitted 24 Dec 2018

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Mr Tuan is an exceptional guide, considerate of the slow and infirm, just had a knee operation,

his induction and information on the different towns was exceptional, he manages all the suppliers taxis, hotel staff and restaurant staff to our advantage. knows us all by name on the first day, builds a group, we all felt like family.

Knowledgeable about the various sites. His attention to detail is exceptional. I will recommend On The Go to my friends and hope they get this superior performer Mr Tuan. Thanks again to Mr Tuan for making us feel so special.”

Emily Segooa &bullet; Submitted 03 Dec 2018

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“

Excellent tour guide with great communication skills and a sense of humour also very knowledgeable. Tour nicely paced with excellent hotels”

Kenneth Riley &bullet; Submitted 30 Jan 2018

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“

Absolutely brilliant guide the best ever. Made the tour so much fun. Really knows his country well. Would love to come back and do another tour with Tuan. He made the tour very special.”

TOUR: Excellent tour!! So varied and full of interesting activities cycling, kayaking, museums and supporting local industries. Loved the pace of the tour and authentic Vietnamese experiences.

GUIDE :Where on earth did you find him ? He's pure gold dust !! . Kien was consistently on time , efficient , engaging, well informed , cheerful , respectful and fun ! He taught us so much about Vietnam and its people and adapted to our needs and interests. From Day 1 his straight forward and authentic manner allowed us to feel safe and supported.The tour was brilliant and your guide Kien made it total magic !

The guide who took us on our Hanoi city Day tour (Cheung?) was also excellent. ”

Marion Andrew &bullet; Submitted 07 Feb 2017

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Amazing! His attention to detail was outstanding, he would make sure we were already checked in and air con's were on in our rooms on arrival. He would adjust the itinerary to give us time to refresh as it was so hot some days. He even walked me to a chemist in Hanoi when we had free time as I was feeling unwell.”

Christa Lyons &bullet; Submitted 27 Apr 2016

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“

The tour was excellent - well organised and a fantastic group of people. John, our tour guide was brilliant - he was very knowledge about Vietnam, and incredibly helpful and quick to respond in calling out a Dr when I was ill during the trip. We were lucky that we had a private tour of Hanoi with John on arrival as no one else in the group was doing our tour - it was a fun and informative day, and the trip overall was very enjoyable. The only observation we would make is that we were expecting 4* star hotels throughout our stay, but the final hotel (Ho Chi Minh City) was only a 3*.”

Hung was an absolutely fabulous guide - probably the best I've had in 20 years of travel. Extremely knowledgeable, and always willing to go the extra mile to help with non-standard issues e.g. he had to take 2 of our group to hospital on what was a free day for us so he should have had the day off.

The tour was very good, nice blend of cultural, historical and nature. Had a good balance of free time to do our own things as well. Only thing I would change is to have an extra day in the Mekong - its a long drive from Saigon to get there and to only have one night (in what was the best hotel of the whole tour) was a little bit frustrating.”

Life can be unpredictable and we understand that sometimes it’s necessary to change or delay your travel plans. With our LIFETIME DEPOSIT guarantee, you can book our Signature tours safe in the knowledge that if you’re unable to travel, your deposit is fully transferable and will be held for an unlimited time.

Vietnam Group Tours

Our popular Vietnam group tours offer a fun and hassle-free way to explore the best of Vietnam, from Hanoi in the North to Ho Chi Minh City in the South.

You will stay at fabulous 3-4* hotels with great facilities like a swimming pool, as well as a traditional junk boat for cruising around Halong Bay. Average group size is around 18 travellers, with a maximum of 24, and our trips include plenty of fun local experiences like cycling around Tra Que village, learning to cook traditional Vietnamese food and discovering the Cu Chi tunnels to name a few.

Our Vietnam group tours also include an overnight sleeper train on the Reunification Express from Hanoi to Hue so you also get to experience train travel in Vietnam and perhaps even sample some on-board karaoke - the train attendants take it very seriously! We also offer a selection of optional extras on our trips, most recently adding a flight bolt on to get you quickly from Hanoi to Hue, which gives you extra time and an additional night to explore charming Hanoi further.

A real plus on our trips is the free time we've built in, particularly the free days we include in Hoi An where you can explore the ancient town, relax by the pool or head to the beach for a mini holiday within a holiday. If you are keen to explore more of South East Asia beyond Vietnam, consider one of our longer multi-country group tours that cover the best of neighbouring Cambodia, Thailand and Laos for incredible temples, colourful hill tribes, the temples of Angkor, bustling Bangkok and charming Luang Prabang.

Departure dates noted with a 'G' are guaranteed to operate. All other departure dates are guaranteed with a minimum of 2 persons. Prices shown are per person travelling. 'Twin/Double' prices per person apply when there are 2 people travelling, sharing a room. The 'Single supplement' applies for single travellers who require their own room and needs to be added to the 'Twin/Double' price. If you are happy to be paired up with another single traveller of the same sex on your tour, this can be arranged, thus avoiding the single person supplement.

This tour is also available on a private basis - for details please see the Supplementary Prices above.

Signature

Exciting Days, Comfortable Nights

On The Go's Signature group tours place local interaction and authenticity at the heart of your cultural travel experience. Upping the comfort stakes, this range is a clear cut above our Budget range.

Appealing to a wide age demographic from the 20s to 60+, we maximize your days with excitement and awe and then bring you home to a comfortable 4* hotel with western amenities, air-conditioning, WiFi and, where appropriate, a swimming pool. Hotels can sometimes be of 3 or 5 star standard too, ensuring you get the best value for your holiday.

Visiting all the main attractions you’ll be accompanied throughout by our highly qualified English-speaking local guides too. Group size is typically 18 with a maximum for 24, apart from festival tours, where group sizes can be larger due to the one-off nature of these events.

Guaranteed Departures

This tour is 100% guaranteed to depart with travellers.

Compare Tours

Select up to 3 tours to compare prices, itineraries and complete tour options:

For all our tours and tailor-made holidays we provide you with a clear categorisation of all hotels we use. The REGIONAL CATEGORY indicates the local rating of each hotel in each respective country. We have also rated each hotel using OUR CATEGORY, which will be in line with generally accepted western hotel grading standards.

SimpleBasic hotels and simple accommodation is a no frills option with an adventurous authentic feel.

StandardStandard accommodation equates to a Western 3-star standard, always featuring en-suite rooms and usually a restaurant.

SuperiorSuperior accommodation equates to a Western 4-star standard, featuring en-suite rooms and usually a restaurant and often a swimming pool and/or a fitness centre.

DeluxeDeluxe accommodation equates to a Western 5-star standard, usually featuring spacious, en-suite rooms, a restaurant, swimming pool and fitness centre and an array of amenities, excellent service and customer care.

LavishLavish accommodation equates to a Western 5-star plus standard - the creme de la creme. Featuring spacious, en-suite rooms, a restaurant, swimming pool and fitness centre and an array of amenities, this accommodation is a cut above the rest. Sheer opulence!

Tipping Kitty

Tipping is not a natural part of many Western cultures and many of us feel uncomfortable, or unsure, about when, or how much, to tip. However, in Vietnam, tipping makes up a significant part of many people's wages so it's important that we get it right. For this reason we've developed a very simple system to take all the hassle out of tipping. With our 'tipping made easy' policy, a nominal pre-determined amount is collected from all group tour participants to cover tips en route. This then saves you the hassle of when and how much to tip bellhops, luggage handlers, local guides and other support staff through the tour. Our 'tipping made easy' doesn't include a tip to your group tour leader. Naturally, though, the amount is up to you as tipping is an entirely personal gesture.